Coil winding machine



Feb. 18, 1936.

R. HOFSTETTER COIL WINDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 10, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet l 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 10, 1931 Wye/77w flafafefier 5 H 42 WW my F eb. 18, 1936.

R. HOFSTETTER 4 2,030,988 COIL WIN DING MACHINE v Filed Dec. 10, 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb. 18, 1936. R. HOFSTETTER COIL WINDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 10, 1951 8 Shets-Sheet 4 Feb. 18, 1936.- R. HOFST-ETTER COIL WINDING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Dec lp, 1931' v QQN Feb. 18, 1936. R. HOFSTETTER ,0

COIL WINDING MACHINE I Filed Dec. 10, 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 wmw NWN

Patented Feb. 18, 1936 UNITED STATES 2,030,988 con. WINDING MACHINE Robert Hofstetter, Downers Grove, 111., assignor to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 10, 1931, Serial No. 580,183

19 Claims.

This invention relates to a coil winding ma-' chine and more particularly to a machine for winding electrical coils.

The object of this invention is to provide a more practical, efficient and expeditious machine for winding coils.

In accordance with the object of the invention threaded shaft having a limited reciprocation,

means for rotating the shaft to cause a strand distributing element associated therewith to move first in one direction and then in the reverse direction, depending upon the direction of rotation of the shaft, means for determining the direction of rotation of the shaft, and means operated in accordance with the direction ofrotation of the shaft for conditioning means for operation which is rendered effective when the distributing 'element has traveled a predetermined distance for moving the threaded shaft in the direction of its length and causing a quick reversal of the direction of movement of the distributing element. The threaded shaft is tiltable or angularly adjustable relative to the axis of the winding spindle to alter the speed of the movement imparted to the distributing element by the threaded shaft.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the machine;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 2-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. -4 is a fragmentarytop plan view of the machine, a portion thereof being shown in section;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 66 of Fig. 5; v

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 1'I of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 5, of the spring tensioning mechanism shown in neutral position;

Fig. 9 is a view of the spring tensioning means when moved in a position to compress one of the springs;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken along 5 the line ll-ll of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the machine illustrating a portion ofthe counter mechanism.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken 10 along the line l3l3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 14 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line I l-l4 of Fig.1.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts 15 throughout the various views, it will be noted that a supporting base It has mounted thereupon a housing II which supports and partly. houses a distributing mechanism, indicated generally at l2 and a counting mechanism 'indicated generally at l3. These two features are 4 the subject matter of this application, the paper feeding mechanism, which feeds a portion of paper over each series of strand windings, being disclosed in a copending application of Robert Hofstetter and John W. Sager, Serial No. 508,184, filed December 10, 1931, and the distributing or strand guiding members, indicated at ll, being disclosed in a copending application of John A. Whittaker, Serial No. 494,228, filed November 8, 1930 now Pat. 1,929,940 issued Oct. 10, 1933.

The distributing mechanism will be described first and, as shown in Fig. 1, this mechanism consists of a distributing bar I5 upon which any desired number of the distributing members I may be mounted at spaced positions for the purpose of distributing strands l6 of material upon winding spindles ll when rotated. The winding spindles l1 have their ends removably secured in chucks l8 and are provided with longitudinally extending grooves and keys for securing the ends of the strands thereto before the winding operation is started. a

The mechanism for imparting a rotary movement to the winding spindle I1 is shown in Fig. 2 and consists of a motor 30 mounted upon a bracket .hingedly carried by the supporting base ill, the hinge connection of the bracket being in alignment with the axis of the motor. The outer end of the bracket 3| has a double 5 pulley 33 rotatably mounted thereupon, one portion of which receives a belt 34 connecting it with the motor 30, and the other portion of which receives a belt 35 connecting it with a pulley I. The pulley 36 is fixed to a shaft 31 the rotation thereof. The

is energized, a rotary movement will be imparted to the winding spindles H for winding the strandsthereupon. The means for holding the belt 35 taut, for causing a driving connection be tween the motor and the winding spindles H, and for loosening the belt upon the pulley 36 and at the same time applying a brake 59 to the pulley 36 to stop the rotation of the winding spindles ll, consists of a hand-lever 40 (Fig. 3) pivoted at 4| and arranged to move a pin 42 inwardly to remove a retaining bar 43 free of an aperture 44, against the tension of a spring, for allowing movement of the lever 40 with apivoted head 45 to which it is secured. The pivoted head 45, which has the pin 42 'and the aperture 44 disposed therein, has an annular recess 46 associated with the aperture 44 in which the end of the retaining bar 413 rides during the rotary movement of the pivot head 45 for the purpose of frictionally holding the pivot head in any position into which it is moved. The inward. movement of the retaining bar 43 is also controlled automatically by a suitable electrical control mechanism 47, through a link 48, when a predetermined number of windings have been made for moving the retaining bar free of the pivot head 45 for allowing the pivot head to resume its normal position.

The rotation of the pivoted head 45 in a clockwise direction, looking from the left (Fig. 3), will impart movement to the lever 49 and due to the connection of a bar 50 with the lever 49 by means of a link 5|, a downward movement will be imparted to the bar. The connection of the bar 50 with the bracket 3| is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and consists of a projection connected to the bracket 3| and having an adjusting screw 56 disposed in the outer end thereof and arranged to engage the bar 50; therefore, a movement of a hand-lever 40 with the pivoted head 45 in a clockwise direction will cause the bar 50 to move downwardly, thusiforcing with it thefree end of the bracket 3| and by doing so the belt 35 will be drawn taut over its pulleys, effecting a driving connection between the winding spindle and the motor. When the tension upon the belt 35 is released due to the movement of the hand-lever 40 in a counter-clockwise direction, a helical tension spring 51 aided by the force of a helical compression spring 58 will move the free end of the bracket 3| upwardly, making the belt 35 loose and applying a brake 59 to the pulley 35 to stop brake 59 is carried by a brake rod 60 and extends through the spring 58, carrying thereupon a spring abutting ring 6| and extending through bearings 62 and 63, the latter of which the spring 58 rests upon. The lower end of the brake rod 60 is adjustably secured at 64 to an arm 65 which is fixed to the free end of the bracket 3|.

The distributing mechanism is connected to the power means shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and is illustrated in Figs. 5 to 11, inclusive. The driving connection between the motor 30 and the shaft 31, hereinafter called the spindle shaft, is shown in Fig. 1 and in this figure there is also shown a spiral gear 10 mounted upon the spindle. shaft 31 and interengaging a spiral gear II.

The spiral gear 1| is fixed to a shaft 12 which extends rearwardly beneath a shaft 13, shown in Figs. 4 and 5 and parallel therewith, these shafts .being operatively connected together by a series of reduction gears. These reduction gears consist of a relatively small gear l4 mounted upon the shaft 12 which interengages a gear fixedly mounted upon a stub shaft 16, which also has fixedly mounted thereupon a gear interengaging a relatively large gear 78, the last mentioned gear being fixedly mounted upon the rearmost end of the shaft 13. The shaft 73 extends forwardly and has a bevel gear 30 mounted upon the forward end thereof, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Interengaging the bevel gear 39 are bevel gears 3| and 92 which are journaled in bearings in the hous ing il and are freely rotatable upon a hollow shaft 83.

The hollow shaft 83 is journaled in a roller bearing 84 for the purpose of allowing the shaft to rotate freely and is provided at one end with a collar 85, to hold the shaft against longitudinal movement in one direction, another collar 86 holding the shaft against longitudinal movement in the opposite direction. A portion of the hollow shaft 33 near the center thereof has external threads Bl receivable in an internally threaded spring compressing collar 88, the purpose of which will hereinafter be described. Freely movable in the hollow shaft 83 is a clutch actuating rod 9| pivotally secured at one end to a clutch actuating arm 92, which extends through aligned slots 93 in the hollow shaft 83, and into a recessed portion 94 of a gear 95, where one end is pivotally mounted at 96, and the other end receivable in an aperture of a sliding clutch 91. Clutch 9'! is of a platelike formation slidably disposed in an aperture of the gear 95 and having teeth 98 and 99 at the ends thereof which are arranged to interengage teeth of annular clutch members I00 and ml, which are fixed to the bevel gears 8| and 82, respectively. The purpose of the clutch 91 is to change the direction of rotation of the gear 95.

In Fig. 6 the clutch 91 is shown engaging the clutch member I00, thus connecting the gear 95 with the bevel gear 8| and, due to the continuous rotation of the bevel gear 8| when the machine is in operation, the gear 95 will be rotated therewith in one direction; whereas,.if the clutch member 91 was moved to the left to operatively connect the gear 95 with the bevel gear 82, the gear 95 would be rotated in the opposite direction.

The distributing bar moving mechanism shown in Fig. 6 is operatively connected to the gear 95 and the direction of movement of the distributing bar l5, which is carried by this mechanism, is determined by the direction of rotation of the gear 95. This mechanism consists of a pinion ||0 interengaging the gear 95 and keyed to a threaded shaft III in such a manner that the shaft may be moved longitudinally relative to the pinion yet rotated thereby. The ends of the shaft I are journaled in suitable bearings while the central portion thereof is threaded as at 2 and has disposed concentric therewith an internally threaded collar or nut H3. The collar I I3 has a flanged member 4 slidably receivable in a recessed portion 5 of a distributing bar supporting member 5 so as to permit movement of the mechanism, shown above the member H6, relative thereto for the purpose hereinafter described.

The distributing bar I5, with the distributing units l4 mounted thereupon, extends through and is carried by the supporting member I IS. The supporting member 6 is illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11 as being provided with a lower set of grooved rollers H! which ride upon a stationary track I I8 and an upper set of grooved rollers H9 which ride along a stationary track I20, thus assuring the proper positions of the distributing units I4 relative to the winding spindles I1 during the lateral movement thereof.

Referring again to Fig. 6, it will be noted that the end of the shaft I I I at the right of the pinion I I is rotatably receivable in a non-rotatable coupling or collar I25, the purpose of which is to form a connection between the shaft III and an actuating lever I26 and to abut a stationary member, such as a bushing I21, to limit the longitudinal movement of the shaft III in one direction. The longitudinal movement of the shaft II!I in the opposite direction is limited by an ad justing screw I28 forming an abutment for the coupling I25. The actuating lever I26 is pivotally secured to the coupling I at I30 and is operatively connected to the clutch actuating rod 9| at I3| so that when the levenis moved laterally, as for example, to the left (Fig. 6) movement will be imparted to the clutch actuating rod 9| to move the clutch 91 from its position in engagement with the clutch member I00 to a position in engagement with the clutch member I0 I, causing an immediate rotation of the gear 95 in an opposite direction, and at thesame time the lateral movement of the actuating lever I26 will cause a longitudinal movement of the shaft III, which reverses the movement of the distributing bar I5 and moves it for a short distance at a faster rate of speed than is imparted thereto through the collar H3.

The means for moving the lever I26 laterally consists of a spring controlled rod I35, keyed at I36 to permit longitudinal movement but to prevent rotative movement of the rod, andprovided at I31 with a yolre which is adjustable upon the rod by means of a threaded connection and has projecting fingers I38 straddling a pin I39, both forming a connection between the spring controlled rod'l35 and the lever I26. The spring controlled rod I extends through-a spring casing I42 and has an enlarged portion or shoulder I43 thereupon which is normally positioned adjacent the center of the casing I42. Helical springs I44and I45 are disposed in the casing I42 concentric with the rod I35 and upon each side of the shoulder I43.

The casing I42 is movable relative to the'spring controlled rod I35 and the mechanism for imparting movement thereto is shown in Figs. 5, 6, 8 and 9. This mechanism includes the internally threaded collar 88 which is moved, due to the threaded connection thereof with the hollow shaft 83, when thehollow shaft is rotated. The collar 88 is square in general contour, one surface of which slidably engages a guide block I to hold the collar against rotation and has roller engaging surfaces I5I upon opposite sides thereof which include recesses I52. When the collar 88 is in its neutral position, rollers I53 of levers I54 will be positioned in the recesses I52 and. the levers I54 will be substantially at right angles to the center line of shaft 9|, as shown in Fig. 8. The levers I54 are pivoted at I55 and have rollers I56 mounted upon the lower ends thereof, which form a connection between the casing I42 and the levers I54. Therefore, when. the collar 88 moves in one direction, as illustrated in Fig. 9, the rollers I53 ride out of the recesses I52, caus ing an actuation of the levers I54, to move the casing I42 relative to the spring controlled rod I35, thus compressing one of the springs disposed in the casing. .An equalizing means is shown in Figs. 4 and 5 for urging the levers I54 into their neutral positions, comprising sets of springs I51 having their inner ends secured to arms I58, which are connected to levers I54 at their pivots so that they will rotate with the levers, and their outer ends secured to laterally extending projections of stationary members I59.

Means is provided for holding the spring controlled rod I35 against longitudinal movement while energy is being stored in one of the springs I44 or I45, this means comprising a stop member I60 fixed to the, rod I35 and having upwardly and downwardly extending projections arranged to be engaged by electrically controlled latches I6| and I62. The latches are rotatably disposed in suitable bearings and arranged to be moved at predetermined intervals to release the spring controlled rod I35 and allow it to be moved by the energy stored in one of the springs I44 and I45 to bring about an instantaneous shifting of the clutch 91 and longitudinal movement of the shaft III.

' The solenoids for actuating the latches I6I and I62 are indicated generally at I65 and I66,

the cores I61 of which extend outwardly and are operatively connected to the latches, as shown in Fig. 10. -A switch actuating means, shown in Fig; 11, is'associated with the solenoids I65 and I66 in a desired circuit arrangement so that the solenoids may be energized at predetermined intervals for releasing one of the latches for bringing about a movement of the clutch actuating rod 9| and the shaft III in one direction, due to the energy stored in one of the springs I04 or I05 when a predetermined number of convolutions of strands have been wound upon the winding spindle, and releasing the other latch at a predetermined interval to effect movement of the rod 9| and the shaft III in the opposite direction.

The switch mechanism shown in Figs. 10 and 11 includes a pair of conductors I10 of a circuit, including the solenoid I65 and a switch" I, which is closed when a switch actuating lever I12 is moved upwardly about its pivot. A pair of conductors I13 are included in a circuit in which v the solenoid I66 is disposed, together with a switch I14 which is closed when a switch actuating lever I15 is moved upwardly about its pivot. The switch actuating levers' I12 and I15 are limited, in their downward movement by stop pins I16 (Fig. 11).

Pivotally supported cam blocks I11 and I18 are positioned to engage the outer ends of the switch actuating levers I12 and I15 to prevent rotation of the cam blocks in counterclockwise and clockwise directions, respectively, and are provided with tapered surfaces I19 in engagement with which resiliently supported hammers or lever actuating members I80 may ride. There is only one resiliently supported hammer shown in Fig. 11 but a similar resiliently supported hammer is adjustably carried by the supporting member U6 and positioned to the right as shown in Fig. 1. The hammers I80 have arcuate shaped engaging surfaces which ride downwardly against the tension of the springs, while in engagement with the tapered surfaces I19, until they have passed beyond the inner extremities thereof, at which time the springs will force the hammers upwardly to impart a rapid movement to the switch actuating levers I12 and I15 to bring about an instantaneous closing of the switches HI and I14. The switch |1| is closed in this manner when the distributing bar has moved a predetermined distance to the right (Figs. 1, 6

and 11) and the switch I I4 is closed when the distributing bar has moved a predetermined distance to the left. The hammers I80, in moving away from the switch actuating positions, engage the cam blocks I11 and. I18, move them about their pivots until the hammers are moved free thereof and the cam blocks are then allowed to return by gravity to the positions shown in solid. lines in Fig. 11. The time at which these switches are closed may be varied to vary the number of convolutions wound upon the winding spindles I1, this being accomplished by actuating the adjusting screws I82 carried by the supporting member H6 (Figs. 6 and 11), for affording lateral movement to the spring actuating hammers I80.

Means is provided whereby the speed at which the distributing bar I5 is moved may be varied to vary the number of convolutions per inch upon the winding spindles, this means comprising an adjusting screw I90 (Figs. 4, 6 and 10) which is held against vertical movement by the stationary bracket I9I, positioned adjacent the lower ex tremity thereof, and is threadedly connected to a collar I92 pivotally secured at I93 to a housing I94 in which the mechanism shown in Fig. 6 above the supporting member H6 is disposed. When the adjusting screw I90 is rotated in a clockwise direction (Fig. 4), the housing I 94 and the mechanism disposed therein is moved downwardly through an arcuate path, relative to the supporting member H6 and about the shaft I3 as a pivot, this relative movement being permitted by the flange and groove connection H4 and H5 shown in Figs. 6 and 10. This movement of the housing I94 relative to the supporting member I I6 tilts the shaft III at an angle relative to the distributing bar I5, making it necessary for the shaft i I I to be rotated a greater number of revolutions to move the distributing bar the desired distance. Therefore, the greater the angle at which the shaft III is tilted relative to the distributing bar I5, the greater will be the number of convolutions of strand material wound upon the winding spindles I'I during the travel of the distributing bar I5. Furthermore, if small strands are to be wound upon the winding spindle, these strands will require a greater number of convolutions per inch than will larger strands of material. To cover a great range in the size of the strands to be wound, change gears 14, I5, 17 and I8 are replaced by gears giving the required ratio approximately. V

To prepare the machine for operation, the strands I6, which are supplied from reels supported in any suitable manner, are threaded around sheaves carried by the distributing members I4 and their free ends secured at spaced positions to the winding spindles H. In starting the machine the motor switch is closed to energize the motor and the lever is moved inwardly to move the rod 43 free of the aperture 44, after which the lever 40 is moved in an arcuate path to rotate the pivot head 45 in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 1) so as to actuate the lever 49 and move the bar 50 downwardly (Figs. 1 and 2) to move the forward end of the bracket 3| downwardly to tighten the belt 35 upon its pulleys and operatively connect the spindle shaft 3'I and the winding spindles II with the motor 30. During the rotation of the shaft 37, the shaft I3 is rotated at a predetermined speed in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 6) causing continuous rotation of the bevel gears iii and 62.

As illustrated in Fig. 6, the clutch 91 engages the clutch member I00, forming an operative engagement of the bevel gear 8i with the gear 95 and causing a counter-clockwise rotation of the gear 95, looking from the left thereof. During the rotation of the gear 95 in the counter-clockwise direction, thedistributing bar I5 is moved to the right at a predetermined rate of speed to cause an even distribution of the convolutions of strands upon the winding spindle, due to the connection of the distributing bar I5 with the gear 95, through the shaft III and the pinion II 0.

While the distributing bar I5 is being moved to the right, the collar 88 is moved to the right as shown in Fig. 9, causing an actuation of the levers I54 to move the casing I42 to the left and compress the spring I44. The spring I44 remains compressed until the distributing bar I 5 is moved the desired distance to the right, at which time one of the hammers I80 will pass beneath the block I11 and be moved upwardly by its spring to rapidly move the actuating lever I I2 and close the switch III. The closing of the switch I II completes the circuit through the solenoid I65, energizing the solenoid to release the upwardly latch I6I from the stop member I and allowing i the energy stored in the spring I44 to move the spring controlled bar I35 to the left (Figs. 5 and 6).

When the latch I6I is released, a rapid movement is imparted to the spring controlled rod I35, moving it to the left (Fig. 6), and in doing so the shaft III is moved to the left until the coupling I 25 abuts the bushing I2'I, bringing about a quick reversal in the movement of the distributing bar I5 and advancing the distributing bar a predetermined distance to the left to position the first convolution of each of the strands at a proper position so that when the coils are finished and cut into their proper lengths, the end convolutions of each coil will be positioned inwardly from the edges of the portions of insulating material upon which they are wound. The rapid movement of the spring controlled rod I35 to the left, due to its operative connection with the actuating rod 9I, brings about a movement of the clutch actuating arm 92 about its pivot 96 to move the clutch 91 from the position shown in Fig. 6 in engagement with the clutch member I00 to a position out of engagement with the clutch member I 00 and in clutch member IOI.

This shifting of the clutch 91 reverses the direction of rotation of the gear 95, causing the hollow shaft 83 to rotate in a clockwise direction, looking from the left (Fig. 6), and move the collar 88 to the left, during which movement the levers I54 will bemoved from the position shown in Fig. 9, back through the neutral position, and moved to position the rollers I 53 at the left, so as to move the casing I 42 to the right, compressing the spring I45 while the spring controlled rod I35 is held against movement by the latch I62. As soon as the clutch 91 is moved to the left, an operative engagement is made between the bevel gear 82 and the gear 95, and the shaft I I I is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, looking from the left (Fig. 6) causing the nut or collar I I3 to move to the left at a predetermined rate of speed. The movement of the collar I I3 to the left is continued, moving with it the supporting member I I6 and the distributing bar I 5, causing an equal distribution of the strands upon the winding spindles 57 until the hammer I80, which is being moved toward the retaining block I 78, passes beneath the surface I19 thereof and forces the switch actuatoperative engagement with the ing lever I16 upwardly to close a switch I15. When the switch I15 is closed, a circuit is completed through the solenoid I66, causing an actuation of the latch I62 to release it from the stop member I60 and allowing the energy which is stored in the spring I45 to move the spring controlled rod I35 to the right, bringing about a quick shifting of the clutch 91 into engagement with the clutch member I and a rapid movement of the shaft III to the right to reverse the travel of the distributing bar I until the strands are advanced the desired distance in beginning their travel toward the right. The connection of the spring controlled rod I35 with the shaft I II and the actuating bar 8| is such that either the shaft III or theactuating bar 9| may be moved first, but the movement of the spring controlled rod is instantaneous, thus imparting almost a simultaneous movement to both of these elements.

In order to vary the number of convolutions wound upon the winding spindles I1, the adjusting screws I82 are actuated so as to move the hammers I80 toward or away from each other, the

movement of the hammers toward each other decreasing the number of strands wound upon the winding spindles, and the movement of the hammers away from each other increasing the number. of strands wound upon the winding spindles. To assure the reversing of the distributing bar moving mechanism in case some-. thing unforeseen occurs in the electrical means for releasing the latches I6I and I62, mechanical means is provided which includes an adjustable abutting screw I95 carried by the supporting member H6 and arranged to engage a lever I96 for releasing the latch I62 (Fig. 4) and an adjustable stop member I91 carried by the supporting member H6 and arranged to release the latch I 6|.

The counting mechanism is illustrated in Figs. 1, 12, 13 and 14 and consists of a units indicator and a hundreds indicator indicated generally at 200 and 20I, respectively. The units indicator 200 consists of a dial 202 operatively connected to the shaft 31 and calibrated at its periphery in such a manner that each space between the calibrations will indicate the distance the dial will move during each rotation of the winding spindles I1. A collar 203 (Fig. 14) has a reduced portion 204 concentric with which the' dial 202 is rotatably disposed. Pins 205 are frictlonally disposed in the collar 203 and extend into apertures of a pointer 206 for the purpose of holding the pointer against rotation relative to the collar. A look nut 201 l which is mounted'upon a threaded portion of a hollow shaft 208, the latter having a shoulder 209 abutting the collar 203, is arranged to be moved against the pointer 206 for forcing the pointer into close engagement with the dial 202 to move the dial 202 into close engagement with the collar 203 so that the pointer and the dial will be rotated when the collar 203 is rotated.

Means is provided for operatively connecting the collar 203 with the shaft 31, this means including the hollow shaft 208 which is keyed to the collar 203 at 2 I 0 and has an enlarged portion 2I I at the inner end thereof for receiving a reduced portion 2I2 of a laterally movable clutch member 2 I3. The movable clutch member 2I3 is operatively connected to the hollow shaft 208 by a pin 2I4 carried by the reduced portion 2 I2 and permitting lateral movement of the clutch member, which movement may be imparted thereto by an operator pulling upon a handle 2I5 (Fig. 14) The handle 2 I5 is connected to the movable clutch member 2 I3 by a connecting rod 2I6, concentric with which is disposed a spring 2 positioned in the hollow shaft 208 for the purpose of normally urging the movable clutch member 2 I3 into operative engagement with a fixed clutch member 2 I8. The enlarged portion-2I I of the hollow shaft 208 has an abutting projection 220 arranged to freely pass beneath a pivoted stop member 22I (Figs. 12 and'14) during the operation of the machine, the stop member 22I stopping the rotation of the shaft 208 and the rotatable members associated therewith, including the dial 202, during the resetting of the units indicator 200.

A fixed clutch member 2 I8 is mounted upon a stub shaft 225, which is carried by a housing II and is keyed to a sprocket wheel 226 which is operatively connected to the shaft 12 by a chain 221 and a sprocket wheel 228, the latter being fixed to the shaft 12. This mechanism forms an operative connection between the shaft 31 and the units indicator 200 for rotating the dial 202 and the pointer 206 the distance of one space upon the dial during one complete revolution of the winding spindles I1 and for rotating the units indicator one complete revolution during I00 complete revolutions of the winding spindles I1.

The hundreds indicator I consists of a dial 230 rotatably mounted upon a collar 23I which is keyed to a reduced portion 232 of a shaft 233 and has pins 234 frictionally carried thereby and receivable in apertures of a pointer 235. A lock nut 236 is threadedly connected to the reduced portion 232 of the shaft 233 and when loosened permits movement of the dial 230 relative to the pointer 235, but when tightened holds the dial against rotation relative to the pointer 235 and the collar 23I. The dial 230 is calibrated adjacent its periphery, the spaces between the calibrations indicating the distance at which the dial will be rotated just prior to each complete rotation of the dial 202. The shaft 233 is journaled in a bearing of a bracket 240 and has fixed thereto upon one side or the bracket 240 a ratchet wheel 24I and upon the opposite side of the bracket 240 a drum 242. The ratchet wheel I has teeth formed in the periphery thereof equal in number to the spaces between the calibrations upon the dial 230.

A mechanism is associated with the units indicator 200 for moving the ratchet wheel 24I a distance of one tooth just before the units indicator 200 completes each revolution for the purpose of moving the hundreds indicator 20I the distance of one space upon the dial 230. This mechanism consists of a roller 245 mounted upon the inner face of the dial 202 and positioned so that it will engage the lower end of a pawl actuating lever 246 during each rotation of the dial 202 to move the lever about its pivot 241. The movement imparted to the lever 246 by the roller 245 is to the left (Fig. 12) and during this movement of the lever a pawl 248, which has one end pivotally mounted upon the lever, is moved to the left so that the tooth engaging end 249 thereof passes over one of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 2. The end 249 of the pawl 248 is held in engagement with the ratchet wheel I by a spring 250 resiliently connecting the pawl with the lever 246. As the roller 245 is moved free of the lever 246 (Fig. 12) the lever is moved to the right 25s, is associated with'the ratchet wheel 24! to hold the sprocket wheel against rotation in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 12) when the actuating pawl 248 is being moved to the left from its engagement with one tooth to its engagement with another tooth of the ratchet wheel. The pawls 249 and 25! retain their positions in engagement with the ratchet wheel 24! until the machine is stopped after winding the desired number of convolutions of strands upon the winding spindles !1 after which the pawls may be moved away from the ratchet wheel 24! simultaneously to allow the hundreds indicator to return to its normal or starting position. This mechanism is associated with a mechanism for resetting the units indicator and includes the handle 2l5, the connecting rod H6 and the movable clutch member 2! 3.

When the handle 2!5 is moved outwardly to the left (Fig. 14) the clutch member 2!3 is moved to the left free of the clutch member 2!8, disconnecting the counting mechanism from the shaft 3'! and permitting the operator to rotate the handle 2!5, during which rotation the dial 202 and the pointer 206 will be rotated to the starting position. The rotation of these members in a clockwise direction will be stopped, so as to accurately locate the units indicator at the starting position, by the engagement of the projection 220 of the shaft 208 with the stop member 22! (Figs. 12 and 14).

During. the movement of the clutch member 2! 3 to the left (Fig. 14) a yoke 260 is rocked to the left with a shaft 26! due to its connection indicated at 262 with the clutch member 2!3. The shaft 26! is journaled in a bearing 263 and has mounted upon the opposite end thereof an actuating arm 264 which engages an adjustable screw 265 of a lever 266. The lever 266 is operatively connected at 261 to a bell crank lever 268 which is pivoted at 269 and has a projection 210 extending beneath the pawl 268 (Figs. 12 and 13) for the purpose of moving the pawl 248 free of the ratchet wheel 24! when the levers 266 and 268 are actuated. A pull rod 213 forms a connection between the projection 21-0 of the bell crank lever 268 and the retaining pawl 255 so that the pawls 248 and 255 will be moved free of the ratchet wheel 24! simultaneously when the units and hundreds indicators are disconnected from the shaft 31 by disconnecting the clutch (Fig. 14). When the pawls 248 and 255 are moved free of the ratchet wheel 24! the shaft 233 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 12) by a weight 215 which is connected to the drum 242 by a cable 216, the upper end of which is positioned in a groove 211 of the drum wherein the cable is positioned during rotation of the shafts 233 and the parts fixed thereto in a clockwise direction. The rotation of the shaft 233 in a counterclockwise direction is stoppedat a predetermined position to accurately position the hundreds indicator at the starting position. In accomplishing this result, a resilient stop member 280 is pivotally mounted at 28! and normally held in engagement with a pin 282 by a spring 283 so that an arm 284, integral with the collar 223 (Figs. 12 and 13), will strike thereagainst when returned to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 12. The arm 284 may be moved past the stop member 280, when being rotated in a clockwise direction during the operation of the machine, but will be stopped by the member 289 when rotated in a counterclockwise direction "aosdee to accurately position the hundreds indicator 20' at starting position.

An electrical circuit 290 is associated with the units indicator 200 and the hundreds indicator 20! for automatically stopping the machine when the desired number of windings as indicated by the combination of the two indicators, have been wound upon winding spindles. The circuit 290 includes the solenoid 41, which has been previously described as an electrical control mechanism for automatically controlling the inward movement of the retaining bar 43 (Fig. 3) when a predetermined number of windings have been made upon the winding spindles !1, for moving the retaining bar free of the pivot head 45 for allowing the pivot head to resume its normal position, thus stopping the actuation of the machine. The circuit 290 can only be closed for energizing the solenoid 41 when two switches 29! and 292 are closed at the same time. The switch 29! is pivotally supported at 293 and has a tapered projection 294 which is arranged to be engaged by a switch actuating finger 295 mounted upon the units dial 203. With this arrangement the switch 29! is closed during each revolution of the units dial 202, but the circuit 290 cannot be completed until the switch 292 is moved into closed position and is held in this positionwhile the switch 29! is closed. The switch 292 is pivotally supported at 296 and has a lateral- 1y extending member 291 provided with a flat under surface 298 into engagement with which a switch actuating finger 300 is arranged to be When a machine is ready to begin its opera-4 tion; that is, when the ends of the strands 6 have been secured to the winding spindles I1, the units indicator 200 and the hundreds indicator 20! are adjusted so that their combined reading will indicate the desired number of con- 4 volutions of strands to be wound upon the winding spindles for each coil. For the purpose of illustration, let it be assumed that the operator wishes 7950 convolutions of strand for each coil.

In setting the indicators, the units dial 202 is moved relative to the pointer 206, after the nut 201 has been made loose, so that the indication 50 will be adjacent the outer end of the pointer, then, by tightening the nut 201 to hold the units dial 202 against movement relative to the pointer a,

206 the units indicator, is ready for operation. A similar adjustment is then made for setting the hundreds dial. In making this adjustment the nut 236 is made loose so that the hundreds dial 230 may. be moved relative to the pointer 235 until the indication 19 is adjacent the outer end of the pointer 235 and then by turning the nut 236 in a clockwise direction, the hundreds dial 230 is held against movement relative to the pointer 235. The adjustment of the units indicator varies the time at which the switch 29! will be closed and the time at which the roller 245 will engage the lever 246 to actuate the hundreds indicator 20 The adjustment of the bum dreds indicator 20! varies the time at which the switch actuating finger 300 will be moved into engagement with the portion 291 of the switch 292 to close the switch.

The starting position of the units indicator 200 and the hundreds indicator 20! are shown in Fig. 1 and after the machine is set in operation a continuous rotation is imparted to the units indicator and an intermittent, rotative movement is imparted to the hundreds indicator while the units indicator is completing each revolution. The units indicator, during each cycle of rotation, will close the switch 29| and actuate the lever 246 with the pawl 248 to impart an intermittent rotary motion to the hundreds indicator 2! through the ratchet wheel 2 and the shaft 233. The actuation of the hundreds indicator 2lll is slightly in advance of the completion of each cycle of the units indicator, and with this arrangement the switch actuating finger 300 will be moved beneath the projection 291 where it will remain at rest, holding the switch 292 in closed position, until the switch actuating finger 295 engages the portion 294 to move the switch 2!" into closed position. This occurs after '79 complete cycles of the units indicator together with 79 intermittent movements of the hundreds indicator and the further movement of the units indicator for 50 calibrations upon the units dials. When both of the switches 22" and 292 are moved into closed positions to complete the circuit 290, the solenoid 41 is energized drawing the retaining bar 43 free of its frictional engagement with the pivot head 45 and allowing the bracket 3| (Figs. 2 and 3) to be moved upwardly by the springs 51 and 58 to loosen the belt 35 upon the pulley 36 and to ap-'- ply the brake 59 to the pulley 36, stopping the actuation of the machine.

The counting mechanism makes it possible for the machine to continue its operation without the aid of the operator, and after a predetermined number of convolutions have been wound upon the winding spindles I1, the machine will be automatically stopped due to the completion of the circuit 290 through the actuation of the counting mechanism.

After the machine has been stopped by the closing of the circuit 290 the coils may be removed from the winding spindles l1 and the ma-v chine may again be made ready for an additional winding operation. Before starting the machine again the operator pulls outwardly upon the handle 2l5, disconnecting the counting mechanism from the shaft 31 by disconnecting the clutch member 2l3 from the clutch member 2l8, during which movement the yoke 260 is rocked with the shaft 26I moving the levers 266 and 268 and causing the pawls 248 and 255 to be moved away from the ratchet wheel 24 I As soon as the pawls 248 and 255 are moved free of the ratchet wheel 24l, the weight 215 causes a counterclockwise rotation of the shaft 233, and the parts connected thereto including the dial 230 and the pointer 235, until the arm 284 is moved into the dotted line position (Fig. 12) in engagement with the stop member 280. The stopping of the arm 284 at this position accurately sets the hundreds indicator 20I in the starting position shownin Fig. 1. All of this takes place as soon as the handle 2l5 is moved outwardly, and, by the operator rotating the handle H in a clockwise direction until the projection 220 (Fig. 14) of the shaft 209 engages the stop member 22l, the units indicator will be correctly positioned as shown in Fig. 1. When the operator releases the handle 2l5, the spring 211 will force the clutch member 2 l3 into engagement with the clutch member 218 and when the machine is again set in operation the counting mechanism will be actuated until I the desired number of convolutions have been wound upon the spindles l1, at which time the circuit 290 will be closed by the closing of both switches 291 and 292 to energize the solenoid 41 and stop the machine.

What is claimed is:

1. In a material winding machine, a winding -.spindle, means for rotating said spindle to wind and means for adjusting the angular relationship 7 between said path of movement of the member and the axis of the spindle to alter the speed of said component movement of the member.

2. In a' material winding machine, a winding spindle, means for rotating said. spindle to wind material thereon, means for distributing the material upon said spindle, said last mentioned means comprising a movable member constrained to travel along a path which is so related to the axis of the spindle that a component movement of the member is in a direction longitudinally of said spindle, means for moving the member along said path and a reciprocable material guiding element actuated by said member and constrained to move in a rectilinear path parallel to theaxis of said spindle, and means for adjusting the relationship between said path of movement of the member and the axis of the spindle to alter the speed of said component movement of the member and thereby the speed of movement of said material guiding element.

3. In a material winding machine, a winding spindle, means for rotating said spindle to wind material thereon, means for distributing the material upon said spindle, said last mentioned means comprising a movable member constrained to travel along a path which is so related to the axis of the' spindle that a component movement of the member is in a direction longitudinally of of said spindle, means for adjusting the relationship between said path of movement of the member and the axis of the spindle to alter the speed of said component movement of the member and thereby the speed of movement of said material guiding element, and additional means under the control of said guiding element for altering the speed of movement thereof.

4. In a material winding machine, a winding spindle, means for rotating said spindle to wind material thereon, means for distributing the ma terial upon said spindle, said last mentioned means comprising a reciprocable material guiding element constrained to move in a rectilinear path parallel to the axis of said spindle, areciprocable member connected to said element for moving it along said path and means for reciprocating said member to reciprocate said element, said member being constrained to move in a path which is so related to the path of movement of said element that a component movement. of said member is in the direction of movement of said element, and means for adjusting the relationship between the paths of movements of said element and said member to alter the speed of movement of said element.

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5. In a material winding machine, a winding spindle, means for rotating said spindle to wind material thereon, means for distributing the material upon said spindle, said last mentioned "means comprising a reciprocable material guiding element constrained to move in a rectilinear path parallel to the axis of said spindle, a reciprocable member connected to said element for moving it along said path and means for reciprocating said member to reciprocate said element, said member being constrained to move in a path which is so related to the path of movement of said element that a component movement of said member is in the direction of movement of said element, means for adjusting the relationship between the paths of movements of said element and said member to alter the speed of movement of said element, and means for imparting an additional movement to said member at each reversal in the direction of movement thereof to thereby momentarily alter the speed of movement of said element at the beginning of its travel in either direction.

6. In a strand winding machine, a winding spindle, means for rotating said spindle to wind a strand thereon, means for distributing the strand upon said spindle, said last mentioned means comprising a rotatable shaft, means for rotating said shaft, a movable member operatively connected to said shaft in such a manner that rotation of said shaft causes the member to move in a rectilinear path parallel to the axis of said shaft and a strand guide connected to and movable with said member, said axis of said shaft being so related to the axis of said spindle that a component movement of said member is in a direction longitudinally of said spindle, and means for adjusting the relationship between said axes of said shaft and spindle to alter the speed of said component movement of said member.

7. In a strand winding machine, a winding spindle, means for rotating said spindle to wind a strand thereon, means for distributing the strand upon said spindle, said last mentioned means comprising a rotatable screw threaded shaft, means for rotating said shaft, a movable member having a screw thread engagement with said shaft whereby said member is moved longitudinally of said shaft at a speed corresponding to the speed of said shaft and a strand guide con- .nected to and movable with said member, said shaft being so related to the spindle that a component movement of said member is in a direction longitudinally of said spindle, and means for changing the relationship between said shaft and spindle to alter the speed of said component movement of said member.

8. In a strand winding machine, a winding spindle, means for rotating said spindle to wind a strand thereon, means for distributing the strand upon said spindle said last mentioned means comprising a rotatable screw threaded shaft, means for rotating said shaft a movable member having a screw thread engagement with said shaft whereby said member is moved longitudinally of said shaft at a speed corresponding to the speed of said shaft and a strand guide c0nnected to and movable with said member, said shaft being so related to the spindle that a com ponent movement of said member is in a direction longitudinally of said spindle, means for changing the relationship between said shaft and spindle to alter the speed of said component movement of said member, and means for reversing the direction of rotation of said shaft to reverse the direction of movement of said member.

9. Ina strand winding machine, a winding spindle means for rotating said spindle to wind a strand thereon, means for distributing the strand upon said spindle, said last mentioned means comprising a rotatable screw threaded shaft, meansfor rotating said shaft, a movable member having a screw thread engagement with said shaft whereby said member is moved longitudinally of said shaft at a speed corresponding to the speed of said shaft and a strand guide connected to and movable with said member, said shaft being so related to the spindle that a components movement of said member is in a direction longitudinally of said spindle, means for changing the relationship between said shaft and spindle to alter the speed of said component movement of said member, means for reversing the direction of rotation of said shaft to reverse the direction of movement of said member, and means for imparting an endwise movement to said shaft at said reversal in the direction of rotation thereof to momentarily alter the speed of movement of said member.

10. In a winding machine, a rotatable spindle for winding material, a member movable longitudinally of said spindle for distributing the material thereon, a driven shaft angularly adjusable with respect to said spindle, means interconnecting said shaft and said member in such a manner that rotation of said shaft causes the member to move longitudinally of said spindle, said means comprising an element constrained to move in a path permanently fixed with respect to the axis of said shaft, and means for angularly adjusting said shaft relative to said spindle to alter the speed of movement of said member.

11. In a winding machine, a winding spindle, a distributor element movable longitudinally of said spindle, a rotatable shaft angularly adjustable with respect to said spindle, means for rotat ing said shaft, and a member operatively connected to said shaft in such a manner that rotation of said shaft causes the member to move longitudinally of said shaft, said member having a sliding connection with said distributor element whereby said element is operatively connected to said member for movement thereby at aspeed determined by the angular position of said shaft relative to said spindle.

12. In a winding machine, a rotatable winding spindle, a reciprocable distributor element constrained to move in a rectilinear path parallel to the axis of said spindle, means for actuating said element comprising a rotatable screw threaded shaft angularly adjustable with respect to said spindle, means for rotating said shaft at a speed determined by the speed of said spindle, means for reversing the direction of rotation of said shaft, a nut follower on said shaft having a screw thread engagement therewith and restrained against rotation whereby through the rotation of said shaft the follower is moved longitudinally of said shaft at a speed and in a direction correspond'ng to the speed and direction of rotation, respectively, of said shaft, said follower being operatively connected to said distributor element to impart a reciprocatory movement thereto, said connection being slidable for permitting angular adjustment of said shaft relative to said spindle, and means for angularly adjusting said shaft relative to said spindle to alter the speed of movement of said distributor element relative to the speed of the spindle.

a movable member, and means separate from the distributor for moving said member insynchronism with the movement of sa'id'distributor.

14. In a winding machine, a winding spindle, a

distributor movable longitudinally of said spindle 5 for distributing material thereon, two rotatable shafts, means for rotating said shafts in synchronism, one of said shafts having a screw thread engagement with said distributor whereby through the rotation of said shaft the distributor is moved 0 longitudinally of the spindle, means for reversing the direction of rotation of said shaft to thereby "reverse the direction of movement of said distributor, means for actuating said reversing means, and means having a screw thread engagement with 25 the other of said shafts for energizing said actuating means.

15. In a winding machine, a winding spindle, a distributor movable longitudinally of said spindle for distributing material thereon, means for 30 moving said distributor, means for reversing the direction of movement of said distributor, and spring means for actuating said reversing means and for imparting an additional movement to said distributor to alter the speed of movement 35 thereof.

16. In a winding machine, a winding spindle, a

distributor movable longitudinally of said spindle for distributing material thereon, means for moving said distributor, means for reversing the direc- 40 tion of movement of said distributor, spring means for actuating said reversing means and for imparting an additional movement to said distributor to alter the speed of movement thereof, and means for energizing said spring means comprising a movable-member and means for moving said member in synchronism with the movement of said distributor. 7

1'7. In a winding machine, a winding spindle, a distributor movable longitudinally of said spindle for distributing material thereon, means for moving said distributor, means for reversing the direction of movement of said distributor, spring means for actuating said reversing means and for imparting an additional movement to said distributor to alter the speed of movement thereof, means for energizing said spring means compris ing a movable member and means for moving said member in synchronism with the movement of said distributor, and means under the control of the distributor for controlling the operation of said spring means.

18. In a strand winding machine, a winding spindle, a strand guide movable longitudinally of said spindle, means for moving said strand guide, spring means for imparting an additional movement to said strand guide to alter the speed of movement thereof, and electromagnetically operated means under the control of said strand guide for controlling the operation of said spring means.

19. In a strand winding machine, a winding spindle, a strand distributor reciprocable longitudinally of said spindle, actuating means for reciprocating said distributor, spring means for imparting an additional movement to said distributor at each reversal in the direction of movement thereof to alter the speed of movement of said distributor, means operated by said actuating means for energizing said spring means, and latch means under the control of said distributor for controlling the operation of said spring means.

ROBERT HOFSTETTER. 

